Fitness Mad Swiss Ball

Advantages: Can do a variety of exercises on it
Disadvantages: Bit of an eyesore in the house

...The gym ball, swiss ball, fitness ball, stability ball or whatever other name it comes under, seems to have taken the fitness world by storm. These balls can be purchased in most sports shops, department stores, tv shopping channels, chemists and even supermarkets. They cost between £5 and £15, come with their own pump and usually an instruction leaflet or DVD. Fitness balls come in a variety of sizes, 42, 45, 55, 65 and 75cms and you should select your size depending on your height. For safety reasons, the rubber material has been designed to deflate slowly in the event of unexpected damage, so the ball should not burst suddenly, leaving the user in a heap on the floor. Pumping up the ball, with the hand pump provided does take a little time and the novice user may be unsure of how firm it should be. I'm not sure how... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Improves core stability.
Disadvantages: None really but must be used correctly.

...I keep trying this health and fitness lark at home and this is another one of my efforts, a gym ball. I have used them at the gym before. When I don`t have time to go to the gym, which is often since increasing my work hours, I like to be able to, not only exercise at home, but vary it. The gym ball is my cheapest piece of gym equipment (not that I have any more now except DVD`s). What is a Gym Ball? + + + + + + + + + + + + A gym ball is a ball as the name suggests! It is made of very tough rubber (I think). A gym ball is also known as a swiss ball or stability ball. The ball does bounce quite well, but that is not what it is for. It is to allow you to exercise effectively, but obviously you still need to put a lot of effort in. My gym ball is 26 inches but they do vary in size (I think there are only about 2 sizes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Maintains it shape, correct weight, feels great when you strike it.
Disadvantages: Very expensive

...When you consider a leather football can cost as little as £5 from some of the budget Sports retailers, it may astound some of you to realise that the Mitre Ultimax Pro ball retails at £45!!! Yes, you heard right. That is a big step up from the prices we pay. Yet the requirements of football may of us require is simply to be round and pumped up. However, when you are at a sufficient level of play, balls do make a difference. I count myself as a competent footballer who has found the game to lat in life to make a difference. Perhaps if I had found the passion I now have in my formative years, I could have gone on and done something. Anyway, back to the ball... The reason I mad the last few statements was to prove I know the difference between a cheapo ball and a good one. A good ball must have tight seams, multiple panels and most... Read review

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